On January 18, 2005, television viewers were introduced to 16 up and coming fighters who were chosen to compete in a pioneering reality series entitled ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ Each week on Spike TV, these athletes would train, live together, interact, and fight in an effort to whittle the 16 down to two fighters who would win six figure UFC contracts.
When it was all over, Diego Sanchez emerged unscathed from the middleweight division on the show, and Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar waged an unforgettable three round war (won by Griffin) on live cable television in the light heavyweight class that may have done more to break this sport nationwide than any bout in UFC history.
Now, two years later, these fighters are deep into their post TUF lives. Some have gone on to challenge for UFC titles, others have disappeared from the Octagon, while others still are on the cusp of moving from prospect to contender. Let’s check in on their progress.
The Top Guns
Diego Sanchez
UFC record 5-0
Currently the top of the TUF1 class, Sanchez – the only fighter of this group who is undefeated overall in mixed martial arts at 18-0 - is rapidly closing in on a shot at welterweight gold if he keeps on the winning track. Faces Joe Riggs on December 13th in the latest in a string of tough fights for ‘The Nightmare’, who started off in the UFC with fairly easy wins over Kenny Florian and Brian Gassaway, and then graduated to bouts with young veterans Nick Diaz, John Alessio, and Karo Parisyan. The Parisyan bout in August was particularly a revelation, as Sanchez drilled out a hard-fought three round decision over the talented Armenian in one of the best fights of 2006. He’s backing up his mouth with his fists, and the future continues to look bright for the pride of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Mike Swick
UFC record 5-0
The darkhorse of the TUF1 group, Swick lived up to his nickname ‘Quick’ in his first two UFC bouts against Alex Schoenauer and Gideon Ray, which lasted a combined 42 seconds. Went a little bit longer in his next two – slightly over two minutes each – in submitting Steve Vigneault and Joe Riggs, but also proved that he could go the distance in outlasting former middleweight title challenger David Loiseau in September. A late round fade against ‘The Crow’ could be cause for concern or a symptom of a hand injury suffered in the bout, but Swick’s confidence wasn’t jarred at all as he called out Anderson Silva minutes after ‘The Spider’ brutally removed Rich Franklin from the crown in October. If he keeps winning, he will probably get his shot in 2007, and there is no doubt in the Texan’s mind that he can deliver.
Forrest Griffin
UFC record 4-1
Self-effacing with a quick wit, Griffin is the face of the UFC to fans first exposed to the sport through ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, and he hasn’t disappointed anyone yet. After the stirring light heavyweight final win over Bonnar in April of 2005, Griffin got a couple of easy wins under his belt over Bill Mahood and Elvis Sinosic, but then got tossed into the lion’s den against Tito Ortiz in April of this year. And after the first five minutes it seemed that Griffin was in over his head against the former light heavyweight champion. But then a funny thing happened and Griffin came roaring back into the fight, thrilling the packed house at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. Griffin would lose a close three round decision a lot of people thought he edged out, but in the process he proved that he could hang with the big boys. Defeated Bonnar a second time in August, and will face another stiff test in Keith Jardine at UFC 66 in December. If he wins that bout, he has to seriously be considered for a title shot, especially if Ortiz defeats Chuck Liddell for the belt on the same show.
A Win or Two Away
Chris Leben
UFC record 6-1
How can you not love Chris Leben? Brash to the bone, Leben roared through his first five UFC fights, winning by decisions (Patrick Cote, Luigi Fioravanti), a submission (Edwin Dewees) and impressive TKOs (Jorge Rivera and Jason Thacker). Then future UFC middleweight boss Anderson Silva showed up in June and blasted Leben back to Earth in 49 seconds. What does Leben do? Comes back less than two months later and knocks out dangerous Jorge Santiago in two rounds and then takes a December fight with Jason MacDonald. Leben’s a fighter’s fighter, and win or lose, you should always want to see him in action.
Kenny Florian
UFC record 3-2
Has gone from middleweight to lightweight in his almost two-year stint in the UFC, and has consistently turned heads for his performances in victory and defeat. After a one round blowout loss to Diego Sanchez in the TUF1 middleweight final, Florian bounced back by beating Alex Karalexis, Kit Cope, and Sam Stout. Most thought he was in over his head when he challenged Sean Sherk for the vacant UFC lightweight belt in October, but Florian showed the heart of a champion by going the five round distance and also showing the type of talent in spurts that makes it almost a certainty that he’ll be back in the title picture sooner rather than later.
Josh Koscheck
UFC record 5-1
The athletically-gifted Koscheck has developed from a one-dimensional wrestler (albeit a world-class one) into a true mixed martial artist who is starting to show different facets of his game with each fight. Has defeated Chris Sanford, Pete Spratt, Ansar Chalangov, Dave Menne, and Jonathan Goulet in the Octagon, with his only loss coming in the final seconds of a fight he was winning easily against Drew Fickett. Wants a fight with Diego Sanchez as soon as possible to revisit their TUF1 show battle, but that’s a fight that may be better off coming in mid to late 2007, just to give it the right time to ferment and get built into a big event, which it should be by then. On the right track to the top and it will be interesting to see how the next 12 months play out for Kos.
ON THE BUBBLE
Stephan Bonnar
UFC record – 3-3
Already at a crossroads in his UFC campaign thanks to a controversial win over Keith Jardine and back to back losses to Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin (in their rematch), Bonnar’s career hit a huge roadblock after he tested positive for anabolic steroids following the second loss to Griffin in August. Now on the shelf until May of next year due to a Nevada State Athletic Commission suspension, Bonnar has the opportunity to work on the flaws in his game, sharpen up and make a huge statement next Spring when he returns. Another loss though, and it could be back to the drawing board.
Sam Hoger
UFC record – 2-2
Hoger’s 2-2 record, which includes a decision over Bobby Southworth and a submission of Jeff Newton as well as decision losses to Stephan Bonnar and Rashad Evans, could easily be 4-0, as many feel ‘The Alaskan Assassin’ edged out the Bonnar and Evans fights. And if he was undefeated in the Octagon, Hoger would be right up there with Sanchez, Swick, and Griffin in terms of knocking on the door of a title shot. But such is life in the fickle world of mixed martial arts, and currently Hoger is in a holding pattern as he prepares for a 2007 return. His ability to finish fights and / or leave no doubts in the eyes of the judges will be a key in whether he makes it to the next level or not next year.
QUESTION MARKS
Nathan Quarry
UFC record 3-1
Quarry had all the pieces in place to be the UFC golden boy. Member of Team Quest, articulate and polite, oh yeah, and he could fight too. Scored three first round TKOs of progressively tougher opposition (Lodune Sincaid, Shonie Carter, Pete Sell) and the sky was the limit. Then came a middleweight title shot that in hindsight was definitely too soon, and he was sent crashing to defeat in highlight reel fashion by then-champion Rich Franklin in November 2005. A serious back surgery followed in July of this year, and though Quarry is currently rehabbing the injury and aiming for a return, whether he fights again or at what level of his former ability remains to be seen at this point. 2007 will tell the tale.
Alex Karalexis
UFC record 1-2
Karalexis, after stopping Josh Rafferty at the TUF1 finale, has had a run of bad breaks in his post-TUF action, getting stopped on a cut against Kenny Florian and then getting put to sleep in the third round of a close fight by an unorthodox choke from Jason Von Flue. The Von Flue bout, in January, was his last UFC bout, and though he has won two in a row since then (most recently a three round decision over Thomas Denny in a WEC show in August), it remains to be seen whether the New England scrapper can return and find a place in the stacked UFC welterweight division.
OFF THE RADAR
Josh Rafferty
UFC record 0-1
Lost via first round TKO to Alex Karalexis at the TUF1 finale and has only fought once since, outside of the Octagon.
Chris Sanford
UFC record - 0-1
Knocked out in the first round by Josh Koscheck at the TUF1 finale and has only fought once since winning a WEC bout in August of 2005.
Alex Schoenauer
UFC record - 0-1
Stopped in 20 seconds by Mike Swick at the TUF1 finale and has not returned to the Octagon. Has stayed active though, compiling a 5-5 record outside of the UFC.
Lodune Sincaid
UFC record - 0-1
Stopped by Nate Quarry at 3:17 of the first round at the TUF1 finale and has gone 3-3 in post TUF bouts outside of the UFC.
Bobby Southworth
UFC record – 0-1
Southworth lost a three round unanimous decision to Sam Hoger at the TUF1 finale and has not returned to the Octagon.
Jason Thacker
UFC record - 0-1
Stopped at 1:35 of the first round by Chris Leben at the TUF1 finale and has been inactive since the bout.
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